It really isn't a bad job. Take your time and buy only top of the line belts. Stay away from those bargin part stores. It helps if you had a bud that has done this job before, but if not come back to these forums. Good luck.cb.

Unfortunately this is a solo job. Everything has been somewhat smooth so far thanks to all of you guys that have posted up info and advice. It appears that that hard part is over. I checked the tdc and it appears to be good. Just swapping out the belt and reassembling. I did replace the waterpump, serp belt & tensioner.

To echo an earlier post that doesn't seem to have been answered, is the Zetec an "interference" engine? From reading all the posts I'm guessing that it's not and is, therefore, not the end of the world if one doesn't get the timing right or if the belt goes while running.

My ZTW only has 120k miles and, speaking with the dealer yesterday, they said that even though the service manual recommends tbelt changing at 120, they might not if it didn't need it. How long does the tbelt typically last (daily driver, no engine mods, no racing)? Are the signs of wear the same as in other belts (i.e., cracking, tearing, glazing, etc)?

I have 168,000 miles on my 2001 ZTS Zetec and have never changed the belt. I've helped change one on my brothers 02 and it had 157,000 plus on it. Beside a little worn for most part, the lugs were still in tact and I think 200,000 was not impossible. My opinion, it's how you drive her that makes the difference. I keep mine under 3000 RPM as AMAP. Drive her like Ricky Racer, you''ll be changing the belt much sooner. And I've heard that the stock Zetec is not an interference engine. But don't take my word on the interference question. If you drive hard, change the belt asap after 100,000 miles. jmo.

The people who make the belt material itself say 120K mile change interval. You cannot ever say how long they will last, driving conservatively helps but simply being in a high temperature environment will shorten life. Although wear can often be seen, just as many strip teeth with no warning and belt will look perfect other than missing the teeth that went. The pulleys very often shell out too, not looking can get you stranded if pulley goes out on a fine belt. You'll see the cracks developing in plastic of pulley but obviously not if you simply disregard looking. I've seen Ford pulley come apart at 50k miles, other Ford pulley next to it was cracked good too.

That being said..... why risk your belt snapping and being stuck on the side of the road just to prove that your piece of rubber lasted longer than the next guys. Change it out! It's really not that hard of a job IF YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TOOLS (cam locker bar and crank alignment plug)

You can buy those two tools from C-F-M.... grab all your belts, pulleys, and tensioners from www.rockauto.com. Guarantee that the whole job doesn't cost you more than $400

Pro-active maintenence is MUCH better on the overall life of your car than Re-active maintenence

The tow charge may sink you with thinking like that, or the oddball possibility that belt snaps rather than strips teeth and the snapped belt wads up just right in crank to break damper and oil pump case. Rare, but I found one at junkyard that ended like that.

Gambling with motor vehicles repeatedly rarely works out longterm, the more you get away with it the more you self-reinforce your belief that it is good policy and acceptable, one loss generally will cost you all that perceived freely gained benefit.

Part of it comes from the fact that the car really just does not care what you do, it will do what IT will do, when gambling you have given up control to random chance............BUT, think of the money you'll save. Why not go further for more benefit? Don't ever change or add oil again, or never, ever check water, or drive on bald tires, or....................

lol nicely said amc49.... a TAD harsh, but you def got the point across haha!

One thing I WILL add is that not only is changing the belt good becaucse its a good thing to do. Your car litterally FEELS like a brand new car! Timing is now perfectly aligned and its responsive like it used to be!

It's like having a 60yr old girl friend and suddenly turning her into a 25yr old babe. They both get the job done.... but one is just SOO much more worth the experience! ;) haha!!!

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